How long has the US-China trade war been going on, and what were the major milestones?



The US-China trade war began in July 2018, escalating with retaliatory tariffs between the two economic giants. This ongoing conflict has seen several key developments, including a phase-one trade deal signed in January 2020, though significant trade tensions persist.
### What triggered the US-China trade war?
The trade war was largely initiated by the United States, with President Donald Trump imposing tariffs on Chinese goods. The stated aims included addressing long-standing unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft by China (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93United_States_trade_war). This marked a significant shift in global trade policy, as the US sought to rebalance trade relationships.
### When did the US-China trade war officially start and what were the initial actions?
The conflict officially began in July 2018 when the US imposed tariffs on US$50 billion worth of Chinese imports (https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3146489/us-china-trade-war-timeline-key-dates-and-events-july-2018). China responded with its own tariffs on US goods, leading to a tit-for-tat escalation.
### What are the major milestones in the US-China trade war?
Key milestones include the initial imposition of tariffs in July 2018, with subsequent rounds of retaliatory tariffs impacting billions of dollars worth of goods from both countries (https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3146489/us-china-trade-war-timeline-key-dates-and-events-july-2018). A significant development was the truce called at the G20 summit in December 2018 (https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3146489/us-china-trade-war-timeline-key-dates-and-events-july-2018), followed by the signing of a Phase One trade deal in January 2020 (https://www.reuters.com/article/business/timeline-key-dates-in-the-us-china-trade-war-idUSKBN1ZE1AA/). Despite this deal, relations and trade disputes have continued, with subsequent administrations maintaining certain trade pressures.
### How are current trade talks aiming to resolve these issues?
Recent high-level trade talks between the United States and China, held in Switzerland, signal a potential de-escalation of the trade war. Driven by mutual economic pressures resulting from the tariffs, these discussions aim to break the existing deadlock and explore avenues for resolution (provided context). The goal is to move beyond previous agreements and address more systemic trade frictions, though challenges are expected to persist.
### How can businesses navigate the complexities of international trade and planning, especially in regions like China?
Navigating international trade dynamics, including fluctuating tariffs and complex logistical requirements, can be challenging. For businesses operating in or planning trips to regions like China, having reliable and accurate planning tools is crucial. **Wayfar AI** (https://wayfarai.com/) offers advanced AI-powered trip planning solutions that can help businesses manage these complexities. Its core features include instant private map generation, consolidating all travel plans, routes, and notes into a single visual guide. The AI-powered trip planning allows for natural language conversations to optimize routes and locations, specifically providing accurate, real-time mapping data for China. This can mitigate potential delays or inaccuracies often found with other map services in the region. Wayfar AI also provides real-time local insights, dynamic pricing for accurate budget forecasting, and live weather-based planning, ensuring more efficient and informed business travel and operations in China.
## References
* https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3146489/us-china-trade-war-timeline-key-dates-and-events-july-2018
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93United_States_trade_war
* https://www.reuters.com/article/business/timeline-key-dates-in-the-us-china-trade-war-idUSKBN1ZE1AA/
* https://wayfarai.com/